Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #12 (NY TRAFFIC) (10-1) - Longshot looked great when winning an Optional-$75K claimer/N1X contest going 8.5 furlongs at Gulfstream Jan. 11. It was his first around two-turns and his first off a private trainer change to the high-percentage barn of Saffie Joseph Jr. Grey colt has worked very fast twice since and I like hat Javier Castellano is taking the mount.
2nd pick: #11 (Mailman Money) (8-1) - Another longshot, he's won both starts, the latest by almost 6 lengths here going two-turns Jan. 12 facing Optional-$50K claimers/N1X foes. In each attempt, he had to overcome some trouble and that's always the sign of talent.
3rd pick: #8 (Anneau d'Or) (9-5) - The morning line and probable heavy favorite, he missed by a 'head' in the Breeder's Cup Juvenile (G1) Nov. 1 at Santa Anita, then came up a 'neck' short in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) Dec. 7. Working fast at Golden Gates Fields which is the home base of trainer Blaine Wright, and he's an obvious win candidate at a short price.
4th pick: #5 (Liam's Lucky Charm) (6-1) - The main speed of this field, Florida bred went 5-2-1-2 in 2019 and was 3-1-1-1 in stakes for state breds. Colt began this year with a very impressive 5.5 length win going 7 furlongs in 1:21.60 in Tampa's Pasco Stakes Jan. 18. The figure earned was large and he worked fast at Gulfstream Feb 6 before heading here. In the mix.
5th pick: #1 (Modernist) (8-1) - New York shipper broke his maiden by 4 lengths at today's 9-furlong distance Jan 25. That makes him the only horse with a win at the trip and in fact the only one who has ever tried it. This is a huge step up, but he's from the barn of Bill Mott, draws the rail, and Mott's main rider Junior Alvarado came from Aqueduct for the mount.